Kids aren't only ones who live on Facebook

Remember when Facebook was cool, before our parents got on it? I once heard my son reminisce to friends.

Parents are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, so if we wonder why our children are distracted by social media, we don't have much room for preaching. Just as we can't text and drive and then tell our children not to text and drive with any credibility, we moms and dads can't say, "Get off Facebook and do your homework" while we're Facebooking before, after and during dinner.

It's all in moderation.

Facebook is just a communication tool, albeit a very addictive one. I was talked into getting on Facebook by a coworker back in 2006. I thought I would never use it.

Some 1,711 friends later, I use it daily. It is up all day at work. It is the fastest way to reach some of my colleagues and helps me find sources for stories. I can spot trends that way. I keep up with my children and my extended family with Facebook. I share photos. I can hear my musician son playing without driving to Memphis on a school night. I can make plans for walking or running or girls' night out or dinner for two. I am careful about what I post on Facebook because my preacher is a Facebook friend.

Texting is also a communication tool, not bad in and of itself. But don't text during date night or in church or while driving or while your child is trying to talk to you.

Several parents in Mississippi and with Mississippi roots, along with some of my Facebook friends, sounded off on this topic when I posted it on ... what else? ... Facebook.

The irony was just irresistible.

Here is what they had to say on whether the social media is a distraction for kids, parents and families in general:

? "My Hannah is 9 and has just started to learn to text on her dad's phone. It has been interesting to see this new way of communicating take root. One thing I learned quickly is NOT to use sarcasm in text. She can't tell it's sarcasm and she got really upset by something yesterday. Oops ..."

- Monique Harrison Henderson

? "I told my daughters I have something important to tell them and they're sitting with me in the living room and I noticed they're very quiet as I started to speak, only to find they're looking at their smartphones..."

- Thomas Skodzinsky

? "It is a distraction from just about everyth ... hold on a minute ... I have to respond to a FB post."

- Bill Moak

? "Well, for starters, it is always asking me what I think. I must reply, and then it sucks me in. Pinterest is the worst because it's like a potato chip, you can't have just one."

- Alisa Tarver Berry

? "It's the constant stimulation. One thing I've noticed as I talk to kids at schools and other places, is that many don't know addresses and phone numbers. And these kids are first through third grade. One reason I think is that they are so plugged into games, iPod, etc. in the car. We used to use that time for those lessons (at least I did)."

- Lisa Dillingham Valadie

? "No better way to spend my down time when my family is snoozing and it is just me .... to relax and connect to my family and friends. I don't look at it as a distraction because I am typically on when everyone else around here is sleeping or getting ready to."

- Wanda Staten Gonzales

? "This is my journal, autobiography, baby book (s), photo albums, small business marketing, child-act promoting, prayer-chain, and high school reunion. The sheer magnitude of responsibility that is required of FB almost demands that I give it the same time I would a valued family member."

- Amy Goley

? "It depends on whether you had your children before social media really took off. If you did, chances are you've already established a real connection with them. For the children that are growing up AFTER this big deal (including two that I have), watch out! I almost ran over a teen the other day because she did not look up from her phone as she was crossing the street. I don't think she realized I was there until I was this close to her... Social media can be useful but it seems to be taking the place of real interaction among family and friends..."

- T. LaShaun Wallace

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Kids aren't only ones who live on Facebook

Remember when Facebook was cool, before our parents got on it? I once heard my son reminisce to friends.